Alpha Chi Honored

YC book drive recognized at National Conference

By Nathana Faddis

Members of YC’s Alpha Chi recently reached out in an effort to bring the joy of reading to young boys at the Epworth Village Learning Center. As a chapter, the student educators went above and beyond to a calling of service to their community and to their world.

Their goal was to bring the joy of a good book to boys ages seven to eighteen with emotional/behavioral needs at the Epworth Village. This semester they spent numerous days after Chapel, allowing the York College student body a chance to participate in their efforts. They were also aided by Grand Central Foods which allowed them to put up a drop location there for the community to join in the effort, as well. Donations of books and money were collected March 1-14, with Alpha Chi members making their delivery to Epworth on March 24.

Much of their success was due to local chiropractor and former YC professor Dr. Ken Alley’s gracious donation of a large number of books to their cause. After all was said and done they had received 503 books and $52.85. This project was completed to help them reach toward Alpha Chi’s national theme of literacy.

Alpha Chi president, Dustin Kinnison, commented on the donation as an important part of their accomplishment. “This is a HUGE number of books, and we thank Dr. Alley for his contribution to our project and to God for making it a success.”

President Dustin Kinnison also spoke of the chapter members’ choice to do the service effort when he said: “Rather than try to take things to convention, we wanted to have an impact in our local community. The best way we thought we could do that would be to get materials into the hands of those people who may not be fortunate enough to have them of their own accord. We also wanted a way to try and shine God's light to our community through our literacy theme.”

Alpha Chi’s hard work in their book drive did not go unnoticed. It was so extraordinary that the York College group was even recognized at the National Conference during the opening ceremonies.

The national conference was held in April 2-4, in Indianapolis. Chapter sponsor and YC Academic Dean Dr. Ray Miller and Dustin Kinnison were able to attend as representatives of their chapter. Dr. Ray Miller was honored by being asked to judge chemistry projects presented by students. President Dustin Kinnison was able to experience the conference setting and to sit in on presentations relevant to his area of interest. He also attended so he could bring back ideas to YC members who were unable to attend and to help develop the chapter further, as well as increase networking with other student delegates across the country.

Dustin reflected on his experience at the conference as a solid one. “I loved every minute of the trip and gained so much from the information as well as just the overall experience. It was a very beneficial for me as well as for the development of our chapter here on campus.”